Sicily in Depth - Small Group
Sicily in Depth - Small Group
$3525
Sicily in Depth - Small Group
9 Days Starting in Palermo, Italy and ending in Catania, Italy
Visiting: Palermo, Trapani, Agrigento, Ragusa, Modica, Syracuse, Taormina, Catania
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
See every slice of Sicily during this 9-day guided tour. Take off to Paradise Quarry in Syracuse with a Local Expert, who will show you its Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped limestone grotto: call out to your fellow travellers here, and your voice may echo as many as 16 times. Visit the Palatine Chapel to marvel at the glittering gold mosaics for a stunning sight. Travel to the salt pans and windmills on the western coast and taste Marsala wine in its home town. In Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea, join a Local Expert at the city’s cliffside Greek theatre, from which you can see Mount Etna, the island’s active Strato volcano.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Palermo: Visit the spectacular 12th-century Palatine Chapel. Its sombre exterior gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th-century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world.
- Palermo: Learn about the civil anti-mafia movement and discover the lesser known history of Palermo. This experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Top Rated Highlights
- Palermo: Visit the spectacular 12th-century Palatine Chapel. Its sombre exterior gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th-century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world.
- Agrigento: Admire magnificent Hellenistic remains in the Valley of the Temples, such as the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno.
- Piazza Armerina: Travel to the Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO site since 1997. The Villa is one of the most luxurious of its kind, showcasing it's rich and intricate mosaics which decorate almost every room.
- Ragusa: During your walking tour with your Local Expert see the famous Baroque buildings and churches.
- Modica: Experience Modica's celebrated hand-made chocolate.
- Taormina: Should you awake early, you may see why this is known as 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.'
- Taormina: Visit the ancient Greek Amphitheatre with your Local Expert. Set on a cliff, open to the sky, take your seats and enjoy the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna.
- Taormina: Visit Taormina with a Local Expert and enjoy free time to stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile.
- Syracuse: Walk through the gardens of Paradise Quarry, listen to the acoustics in the mysterious Ear of Dionysius and visit the Greek theatre.
Make Travel Matter
Palermo: Learn about the civil anti-mafia movement and discover the lesser known history of Palermo. This experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Trapani: Discover how the ancient traditions of salt extraction has been handed down from generation to generation. Set in a breathtaking natural landscape, home to pink flamingos and various aquatic birds, the salt pans and windmills create a picturesque scene against a backdrop of sea and sky. This experience supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 11 & 12 - Sustainable Cities and Communities & Responsible Consumption and Production
Authentic Dining
Marsala: Enjoy a tasting of some of the island's richest Sicilian wines at a local winery in Marsala.
Taormina: Your Farm-to-Table dinner reflects some of Sicily's top culinary heritage.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival In Palermo
Location: Palermo
Accommodation Name: NH Palermo
Meals Included: Dinner
Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director for a dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Palermo & The Golden Age Of The Normans
Location: Palermo
Accommodation Name: NH Palermo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Discover Palermo through Insight Choice. Opt for a walking tour featuring the stunning 12th century Palatine Chapel with a Local Expert. Alternatively, engage in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on the Anti-Mafia tour, learning about modern efforts to combat organized crime in Palermo. This afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring Palermo Cathedral, a fascinating site with its unique blend of architectural styles reflecting centuries of history. For your dining pleasure, you can try the foods the locals like to eat and experience how they like to eat it on your Dine-Around Evening.
Day 3: Trapani And Marsala
Location: Trapani
Accommodation: Seawater, Marsala
Accommodation Name: Seawater, Marsala
Meals Included: Breakfast
Nestled along its crescent-shaped coastline, Trapani is embraced by the Mediterranean Sea. Discover the age-old tradition of salt production when you visit the colorful salt pans and an ancient stone windmill during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to see where sea water is transformed into salt crystals. Then, savor the flavors of Marsala with a tasting at a local winery, where you’ll enjoy the town’s renowned wine amidst beautiful surroundings.
Day 4: Explore The Valley Of The Temples
Location: Agrigento
Accommodation: The Scala dei Turchi Resort, Agrigento
Accommodation Name: The Scala dei Turchi Resort, Agrigento
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel along the southern coast of Sicily en route to Agrigento. In Agrigento, explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. Recognized by UNESCO, these temples are exceptional examples of ancient Greek architecture. Marvel at the imposing Temple of Concordia and the cliff-top Temple of Juno, both overlooking the sea. Reflect on this unforgettable day with your fellow travelers over dinner at the hotel, sharing insights and experiences.
Day 5: Discover Villa Romana Del Casale And Ragusa
Location: Ragusa
Accommodation: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa
Accommodation Name: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel inland to the Villa Romana del Casale, a luxurious Roman villa renowned for its rich and intricate mosaics. This UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized since 1997, showcases the opulence of ancient Rome. Continue to Ragusa and explore the labyrinthine alleyways of Ragusa Ibla with our Local Expert. This town, with origins dating back to the Bronze Age, was inhabited by the Sicels tribe, who lent their name to Sicily. Admire the significant Sicilian Baroque architecture that has earned Ragusa UNESCO recognition.
Day 6: Modica
Location: Modica
Accommodation: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa
Accommodation Name: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a Relaxed Start this morning or join an Optional Experience to the Val di Noto and the town of Noto. Later discover Modica's artisanal techniques used to create the town's celebrated handmade chocolate.
Day 7: Ancient Syracuse
Location: Syracuse
Accommodation Name: RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina
Meals Included: Breakfast
Sightseeing with your Local Expert begins at Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry, home to the unique Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with remarkable acoustics. Next, visit the impressive Greek theatre, carved from solid rock, and one of the largest of the ancient world. Take time to explore the atmospheric Old City on the island of Ortygia, a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with palaces. This historic area is where the famed mathematician Archimedes famously ran through the streets, exclaiming 'Eureka!' Continue your journey along Sicily’s picturesque Ionian Riviera to the charming town of Giardini Naxos.
Day 8: Taormina And The Dawn Coast Of Europe
Location: Taormina
Accommodation: RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina
Accommodation Name: RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your hotel faces east, offering early risers a glimpse of why D.H. Lawrence dubbed this 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.' After breakfast, consider an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Journey to the charming old town of Taormina, perched on Mount Tauro with views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the ancient Greek theatre, set on a cliff and open to the sky. Sit and absorb the breath-taking view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll along the elegant Corso Umberto and enjoy panoramic views from Piazza IX Aprile. Conclude your day with dinner at a local restaurant, featuring delicious, freshly prepared Farm-to-Table cuisine and exquisite Italian wines.
Day 9: Depart Catania
Location: Catania
Meals Included: Breakfast
Appreciate views of Mount Etna on your way to the airport.
What's Included
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Meals
4 dinners with wine, 8 breakfasts, and 1 dinner are included.
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Local Expert Tours
Guided tours with local experts in Palermo, Agrigento, Ragusa, Syracuse, and Taormina.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
All hotel and restaurant tips are included.
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Taxes and Porterage
All taxes and porterage charges at hotels are included.
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Baggage Handling
Baggage handling and delivery to your hotel door are included.
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Insight Flourish
Occasional local specialties representing the destination.
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Wi-Fi
Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.
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Wine Tasting
Wine tasting at a local winery in Marsala.
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Farm-to-Table Dinner
Farm-to-Table dinner reflecting Sicily's culinary heritage in Taormina.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as the Val di Noto tour and the Mount Etna tour are not included.
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Additional Transfers
Transfers outside the scheduled times or for additional nights' accommodation are not included.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Dinner (D)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Travel Director
- "A type of food I really love introducing my guests to is the street food because it tells a lot about the habits of the locals, it can be a slice of pizza folded up or a sfogliatella in Naples, an arancini, a gelato in Sicily, or a cannolo. "
- "One fun fact people don't usually know before they come to Italy is that the Italian alphabet only has 22 letters."
- "One thing I really love about showing guests about Italy is how art and beauty can be found around every corner of some of Italy's cities, which are real open air museums."
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Palermo visit?
In Palermo, you have the option to visit the 12th-century Palatine Chapel with its stunning mosaics or participate in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on the Anti-Mafia tour, which educates about modern efforts to combat organized crime.
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What can I expect to see at the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento?
At the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, you will explore ancient Greek architecture with a Local Expert, including the impressive Temple of Concordia and the cliff-top Temple of Juno, both offering stunning views of the sea.
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What is special about the Villa Romana del Casale?
The Villa Romana del Casale is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its luxurious Roman architecture and rich, intricate mosaics that decorate almost every room, showcasing the opulence of ancient Rome.
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What culinary experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a wine tasting at a local winery in Marsala and a Farm-to-Table dinner in Taormina, reflecting Sicily's culinary heritage. Additionally, you can experience Modica's celebrated handmade chocolate.
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What is the significance of the Ear of Dionysius in Syracuse?
The Ear of Dionysius in Syracuse is a unique ear-shaped grotto known for its remarkable acoustics. It is part of the sightseeing tour with a Local Expert, which also includes a visit to the impressive Greek theater.
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What optional experiences are available during the tour?
Optional experiences include a tour to the Val di Noto and a visit to Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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